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Minister of Defence Tsahkna to U.S. General: The presence of the U.S. Army in our region remains important

15. May 2017 - 11:52

Minister of Defence Margus Tshakna met on Friday with the Commander U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, who is on a visit to Estonia.

“Since 2014, thousands of U.S. soldiers have participated in training in Estonia under the command of Lieutenant General Hodges. During that time, units from our two countries have experienced a notable improvement in cooperation capability, while a priceless brotherhood in arms has deepened,” said Minister of Defence Tsahkna.

The regional security situation was discussed at the meeting, along with the presence and training of the U.S. Army in our region.

“The presence of U.S. Army units in the region and their participation in training exercises carried out in the Baltic states remains important to Estonia. Together with the U.S. Army we will carefully monitor the large-scale Russian Federation military training exercise ‘Zapad’, taking place in the autumn” confirmed Tsahkna.

Lieutenant General Ben Hodges has held the position of Commander, U.S. Army Europe, since 2014. 2015. In 2015, the President of the Republic of Estonia awarded him the Order of the Cross of the Eagle (second class).

Since 2014, within the framework of the U.S. Armed Forces operation Atlantic Resolve, U.S. Army Europe company-sized units have been repeatedly rotated to Estonia.

Subject related news

Minister of Defence Jüri Luik met today with the Swedish Minister for Defence Peter Hultqvist, and General Micael Byden, Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces. The defence ministers discussed the security situation that has developed in the Baltic Sea region, the start of the Zapad training exercise, and the topic of Aurora.

General Darren W. McDew, commander, U.S. Transportation Command, and Jonatan Vseviov, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, discussed questions regarding the deployment of forces in Europe at their meeting.